The hype has barely settled down from this past weekend’s 2013 New York Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center, and fans are already clamoring for more. For four days, every would-be nerd, cinephile and video gamer crammed themselves into the convention center in hopes of witnessing the next step in pop culture’s evolution.
The super chaotic event was full of “cos players” who dressed up as everything from Thor’s baddie brother Loki to the Mighty Morphing Power Rangers to Adventure Time characters. Meanwhile, those who skipped traversing the venue’s Artist’s Alley found themselves engaged in popular Comic Con sessions featuring legends (Bill Plympton, William Shatner), comic book icons (Robert Kirkman, Stan Lee) and more.
With such a geeky magnitude, it was easy to become overwhelmed by the endless wave of nerdness. But not to worry: for those unable to participate in all the Halloweenesque gallantry, pop culture junkies were also treated to a host of welcomed surprises. The appearance of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan elicited chants of “Yes! Yes! Yes!” throughout the venue. Thirty-year-old Miguel Acuna asked X-Files stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson for their blessings to wed his longtime girlfriend of the past two and half years.
Hip-hop legend DMC captivated a hall full of fans with his encyclopedic knowledge of comics, while showcasing his Darryl Makes Comics graphic novel line. The Nerds of Color panel found distinguished voices within the industry discussing racism, inequality and cos playing. And finally, the celebrated East Coast convention treated its guest to a world premiere clip from the upcoming Spike Lee Oldboy adaptation, due out Thanksgiving Day.
As we survived the questionable smells of the NYCC, our hope is that you muster up the courage to brave these hallowed halls to attend the Con before the Jacob Javits Center’s proposed demolition.
Kevin L. Clark heads Don’t Lose Your Day Job, a website for video game enthusiasts. You can keep up to date with the latest from him on Twitter @DLYDJ.
